Today, Common Cause joined an ideologically diverse group of governors, members of Congress, local government leaders, and others in filing amicus briefs urging the Supreme Court to put an end to partisan gerrymandering. On March 28, the Court will hear arguments in Benisek v. Lamone, a First Amendment challenge to Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District, which Democrats drew after the 2010 census in a successful attempt to defeat a longtime Republican incumbent. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could result in a nationwide prohibition against the manipulation of legislative boundaries for political advantage.

It’s increasingly clear that courts across the country are ready to declare that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional and insist that political maps that allow voters to choose our elected officials, not permit officials to choose their voters.

Baltimore – The cost to run for office in Baltimore City rose over 20% between the last two elections, according to research released today by Common Cause Maryland. This spike was true of both the Mayoral race, where winner Catherine Pugh raised nearly $280,000, and Council races, where the average candidate raised over $185,000.